Iran Health Minister Fired by Ahmadinejad

Had Protested Underfunding of Imported Medicine

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today fired his minister of health, Dr. Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole female member of the Cabinet. The minister was replaced by a temporary caretaker. Dr. Dastjerdi had criticized the authorities for not providing her ministry enough hard currency to import needed medicine. 

Last week her ministry in a statement said the Central Bank had not allocated a budget to import medicine, but provided hard currency for importing “pet food, horse saddles and dog collars.” Parliamentarians have also accused Ahmadinejad of underfunding medicine.

Photo: Dr Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the first Iranian female minister since the 1979 Islamic revolution, dismissed for criticizing authorities for underfunding medicine. (IRNA)

Morning Workout with the Minister

Iran’s Health Minister, Dr. Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi (in black chador), during the morning’s exercise. Tehran, 22 September.

Photo by Nazgol Jahani of Reporters Club.